In situ synthesis and nonlinear optical properties of Au:Ag nanocomposite polymer films

Abstract

We report a simple in situ synthesis procedure for Au:Ag nanocomposite polymer (NCP) films using polyvinyl alcohol as the reducing agent. Optical measurements show absorption bands of varying strengths around 530 and 410 nm. The presence of nanoparticles is confirmed from Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Nonlinear optical response is studied using 7 ns laser pulses, for near-resonant and off-resonant excitation wavelengths (532 and 1064 nm, respectively). Samples exhibit saturable as well as induced absorption. These materials have the potential to be used as saturable absorbers and optical limiters.